Assistant/Deputy City Attorney

The City Attorney's Office represents the city, the School Board, the Retirement System, the Chrysler Museum, and other boards and commissions in all legal matters. The office defends its clients in all litigation, files suits on behalf of its clients, prepares sound legislation for consideration by City Council, provides impartial advice, prepares contracts and provides such other legal services as necessary.

The Norfolk City Attorney’s Office seeks applicants for an Assistant City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney. The successful candidate will provide and handle legal services to and representation of city departments, agencies, and various boards and commissions; interpretation and drafting of ordinances, contracts, regulations and policies; general civil litigation, including prosecuting code violations; public school matters, such as special education, student discipline, FERPA, and other matters unique to public education; and legal advice regarding the applicability of constitutional, statutory and regulatory provisions to local governance.

Assistant City Attorney I – LD: $80,394.93 - $134,372.33

Assistant City Attorney II – LD: $85,348.74 - $142,272.18

Assistant City Attorney III – LD: $94,749.04 - $161,616.20

Deputy City Attorney I – LD: $110,774.31 - $194,688.24

The essential functions of the Assistant City Attorney position will vary depending on the specific assignment and areas of responsibility, but may include the following:

• May prepare for and participate in hearings and in trials of cases in courts not of record and in courts of record; may assist more experienced/senior attorneys in the trial of cases.

• May prepare for and participate in administrative proceedings before federal, state, and/or local agencies, commissions, or boards.

• May render routine legal advice to specified officers, departments, commissions, boards and agencies of the City.

• May research federal, state and local laws; may interpret law and render legal opinions under supervision.

• May prepare and/or review a variety of legal instruments and documents on behalf of the City, such as contracts, real estate purchase and development agreements, leases, franchise agreements, briefs, pleadings, codes, regulations, ordinances, policies, and opinions as required and/or assists in the preparation of such documents.

• May negotiate a variety of legal instruments and documents on behalf of the City, such as contracts, real estate purchase and development agreements, leases, franchise agreements.

• Assists more experienced attorneys as assigned.

• Performs related work as required.

• Articulates and communicates complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

• The essential functions of the Assistant City Attorney position as detailed above.

• May perform contractual support by reviewing sufficiency of invitations to bid and requests for proposals, meeting with city departments to determine requirements, providing legal services at vendor interviews and negotiations, drafting terms and conditions of contracts, directing execution of contract, reviewing elements of submitted contracts, reviewing and approving adequacy of insurance and performance and payment bonds, preparing revised terms, and approving form and correctness of contracts and purchase orders, analyzing contract performance, providing advice as to legal remedies, preparing and serving documents of notice, demands for performance or assurance, and preparing contract amendments.

• May represent city departments, divisions and agencies by providing representation in hearings and appeals processes, reading, reviewing and analyzing facts and applying law, filing papers, preparing pleadings, presenting and prosecuting cases, preparing briefs, providing advice, interviewing witnesses, and filing suits.

• May provide legal support by approving bonds required for various projects, providing legal services to maintain procurement, evaluating bid protests and providing the city response, drafting ordinances and resolution for the city council, handling grievances, and providing oversight.

• May provide information by providing training, presenting training sessions, attending taskforce meetings, tracking task force issues and providing analysis, providing advice and counseling to advisory boards, commissions and city-funded corporations.

• Two or more years of experience in the desired practice area preferred

• Admission to Virginia State Bar preferred; pending admission considered. 

• Local government experience preferred

• Position and salary commensurate with experience.

• Generous and comprehensive benefits package.

• Eligible new hires will be participants with the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).